City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF'BRISTOLO TENNESSEE CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 1,2014 CALL TO ORDER: The City of Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Michelle Dolan on Tuesday, April 1,2014, at7:00 p.m. in the Slater Center Auditorium. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor Michelle Dolan, Vice Mayor Lea Powers, Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend, Councilman Chad Keen, and Councilman Jack Young. Others Present: City Manager William L. Sorah; City Attorney Jack Hyder; City Recorder Tara Musick; Secretary Megahn Davis; and members of City staff. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilman Jack Young gave the invocation, and Vice Mayor Powers led the pledge of allegiance. AGENDA ADDITIONS AND/OR CHANGES: None. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS: Bristol Arbor DayÆarth Day (April25, 2014) - Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend read a proclamation to honor Bristol Arbor DaylBarthDay. Mr. Terry Napier, Director of Parks and Recreation, and Mr. Mike Musick, Recreation Superintendent, were in attendance to accept the proclamation. Mr. Musick accepted the proclamation on behalf of all the Parks and Recreation committees and commissions. Fair Housing Month - Vice Mayor Lea Powers read a proclamation recognizing April as Fair Housing Month. Ms. Shari Brown, Director of Community Development, and Ms. Mindy Bowman, Community Development Specialist, were in attendance to accept the proclamation. Ms. Mindy Bowman expressed her appreciation for the proclamation. PRESENTATIONS: None.  City Council Meeting April 1,2014 Page 2 of 6 PUBLIC HEARINGS: Ordinance l4-3 - An Ordinance to Amend Sections 203 and 216 of the Zoning Ordinance Relating to Billboard and Sign Regulations City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance which was the result of a 4 to 5 month process where a task force was formed to look into temporary signage. This Ordinance would change the definition of temporary signage. The Ordinance would also extend promotional ads, allow banners on permanent sign structures, allow awning signs in the central business district, allow wall mounted flag banners in downtown, and allow one Now Hiring sign without a permit. The hearing was closed after no public comments. APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS: Ms. Peg Statgn, 92?Beechwood Drive, addressed Council concerning Autism Awareness Month and April 2no as Autism Awareness Day. She asked everyone to wear blue in support of Autism Awareness. Mr. Jim Goodwin,6l Tipton Lane, addressed Council and citizens concerning his candidacy for Sullivan pounty Criminal Court Judge. He reminded everyone that early voting would start April 16"' in Blountville and at the Armory in Bristol. He also thanked Council for the opportunity to serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mr. Eric Hodge, 6017 Old Jonesboro Road, addressed Council concerning his candidacy for District 2 Commissioner. He also thanked voters. Dr. Gary Lilly, School Board Superintendent, addressed Council thanking the City for the opportunity to hold a joint meeting with the Board of Education. Dr. Lilly also noted that the Science Fair was a success. He invited Council to an upcoming open house to be held at Vance Middle School regarding new technology utilized by the students. He also noted that students from Tennessee High would be participating in aDay of Caring on a Saturday during the month of April. Lastly, Dr. Lilly thanked the Police Department for their recent assistance during an incident. APPOINTMENTS: Community Development Advisory Committee - Ms. Lettie Jackson was appointed to the Community Development Advisory Committee by unanimous roll call vote to serve a three year term ending April 30, 2017. Emergency Communication District Board of Directors - Ms. Wendy Belcher had completed an application for this position. Ms. Belcher has questions concerning the role. Councilman Keen made a motion to move the item to next month's agenda, and Vice Mayor Powers seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote.  City Council Meeting April1,2014 Page 3 of6 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: A. First Reading of New Ordinances: Ordinance l4-4 - An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map of Bristol Tennessee by Designating Certain Properties as B-2 Central Business District and M-2 General Industrial District (200 State Street, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Railroad Right-of-Way, and 213'o Street) City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance that would amend zoning for several buildings. This Ordinance would reclassify 200 State Street, l2l Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., and portions of Norfolk Southern Railroad Right-of-Way from an M-1 (Light Industrial/Business ìlistrict) to B-2 (Central Business District). The Ordinance also reclassihes a portion of 21 3'u Street from M-l (Light IndustrialiBusiness District) to M-2 (General Industrial District). Rezoning of the property at 200 State Street \'/as requested by the owner. The remaining properties to be rezoned are at the recommendation of staff. All impacted property owners are also in agreement with the proposed rezoning. This item was brought before the Bristol Tennessee Regional Planning Commission and recommended for approval. Vice Mayor Powers moved to approve this Ordinance on first reading, Councilman Young seconded. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. B. Adoption of Ordinances (Second Reading): Ordinance 14-3 - An Ordinance to Amend Sections 203 and 216 of the Zoning Ordinance Relating to Billboard and Sign Regulations City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance that would amend Sections 203 and 216 of the Zoning Ordinance relating to Billboard and Sign Regulations. City Manager Sorah explained that this Ordinance was the result of efforts of a committee appointed by the Planning Commission in response to temporary signage. This Ordinance would amend the definition of a temporary sign, extend the period for Business Special Promotional Events, allow banners meeting requirements on permanent sign structures during promotion events, clarify awning signs would be permiued in the Central Business District under awnings or roof overhangs, allow wall-mounted flag banners in the Downtown in accordance with requirements, and allow one ooNow Hiring" sign without a permit. Council members noted this as an effort to make the City more business friendly. Councilman Jack Young moved to approve this Ordinance on second reading, Councilman Keen seconded. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. C. Resolutions: Resolution 14-34 - A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2014, in the Aggregate Principal Amount of Not to Exceed Seventeen Mitlion Three Hundred Fifty Thousand and No/100 Dollars of the Cify of Bristol, Tennessee; Making Provisions for the Issuance, Sale and Payment of said Bonds; Establishing the Terms Thereof and the Disposition of Proceeds Therefrom; and Providing for the Levy of Tax for the Payment of Principal of, Premium , if any, and Interest on the Bonds.  City Council Meeting April1,2014 Page 4 of 6 City Manager Sorah reviewed this Resolution that would authorize the issuance of up to $17,350,000 in bonds payable to fund the second phase of the Pinnacle project. This issuance was predicated on the lease of 380,000 square feet which has been met with the leasing of over 390,000 square feet. Vice Mayor Powers moved to approve the Resolution, and Councilman Keen seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. CONSENT AGENDA: City Manager Sorah presented the Consent Agenda to Council. Mayor Dolan requested that Resolutions 14-27 and 14-30 be removed from the Consent Agenda. Councilman Young moved to approve the remaining Consent Agenda items, and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. The following items were approved by unanimous Council vote: . Minutes - March 4,2014, City Council Meeting; . Minutes - March 18,2014, City Council Work Session; . Minutes - March 25,2014, Special City Council Work Session; a Resolution 14-28 - A Resolution Awarding a Bid for the Volunteer Parkway Landscaping Beautification Project, Phase II; Resolution 14-29 - A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Software Support for GIS; a Resolution 14-31- A Resolution Awarding a Bid for Computerized Hardware and Services; a Resolution 14-32 - A Resolution Approving a Grant Contract with TDOT for Transit Capital Assistance; a Resolution 14-33 - A Resolution Approving a Bid on the Pinnacle Parkway Improvements Project; and a Resolution 14-35 - A Resolution Approving a Local Agency Project Agreement with TDOT for an Interstate Connector Roadway.  City Council Meeting April1,2014 Page 5 of6 City Manager Sorah reviewed Resolutions 14-27 and 14-30. He explained that Resolution l4-27 - A Resolution Approving a Grant Agreement with TDOT for Utilization of FTA Section 5303 Funds was the companion agreement for MPO funding from VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation). City Manager Sorah then reviewed Resolution 14-30 - A Resolution Approving a Proposal for Professional Services for a Needs Assessment Study for a Connector Roadway that authorizes Mattern and Craig to do a needs assessment for a connector route between Highway 394 and the Exit 74 area. He also noted that the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) would fund 80% of the project. Vice Mayor Powers moved to approve the Resolutions, and Councilman Young seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Bill Sorah reported to Council that the City had now issued permits for the first two tiers of shops at the Pinnacle Development. He also noted that permit applications had been received for Belk's and other junior anchor shops. City Manager Sorah mentioned the recent ground breaking at the Cootie Brown's restaurant site marking another economic development achievement. He also updated Council on the recent Parks and Recreation survey and stated that over 700 responses were received. Local neighborhood meetings will be held in May to discuss survey results. City Manager Sorah reminded Council of the upcoming stakeholder meeting about the Pinnacle Plan on April 10'n to be held at the National Business College. He also noted that staff held a meeting regarding energy efficiency programs. In closing, he reminded Council and citizens of upcoming events. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilman Keen expressed his appreciation to staff for thinking about local businesses and to the Community Development Department for their work. In closing, he stated that the City is currently working on marketing strategies for Bristol. Councilman Young recognized Chamber of Commerce CEO Joy Madison. He also spoke briefly about the LEAD Bristol Sunset Shopping initiative. Councilwoman Feierabend spoke briefly about the upcoming informational sessions being held on voting and the importance of electing good leaders. She also reminded citizens of the health talks beginning at the Library, the Mayor's Award of Distinction, and YWCA Tribute to Women. Vice Mayor Powers stated that it was an exciting time to be in Bristol. She also spoke briefly about the opportunity that Council had to meet with the legislature recently. In closing, she expressed her excitement about the Pinnacle and Downtown developments.  City Council Meeting April 1,2014 Page 6 of6 Mayor Dolan stated that she had a couple key things that she had focused on as Mayor. One of those key things is economio development including a focus on getting manufacturing jobs into the area. In closing she explained that the other thing would be an increase in the education level of citizens through utilization of the "Drive to 55" initiative. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. ?' Mayor /* f.rrLrl¿ TaraE. Musick, City Recorder